Thursby Software Systems announced that it is providing Apple email support for the latest version of its PKard smart card authentication solution for U.S. government workers.

According to Thursby, the solution provides the smart card support that Apple’s latest OS X Lion operating system lacks. PKard v1.1 adds secure mail signing, encryption and decryption in Apple Mail to the existing Apple Safari and Google Chrome secure web and web VPN access that cover all CAC and PIV smart cards.

Thursby says the addition will enable U.S. government employees and contractors to perform basic tasks like access to secure web portals and email, mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, or HSPD-12. All US Government issued CAC and PIV smart cards are supported via Thursby’s own Tokend driver technology.

The update to PKard for Mac is free for existing users and $29.95 for new users.

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